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PSI Symposium Annual Journal 2004
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| This year’s edition of the Psi Symposium Annual Journal begins with a series of four articles that focus on the relationship, both personal and historical, of being a mystic and a Unitarian Universalist. Is it possible to be both? Is mysticism compatible with a rational and open minded approach to religious and theological questions? Is there a historical basis and justification for a mystical approach to religion within our own American UU heritage? These articles seek to answer these questions and more. Each year at the Annual Meetings of the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches in Great Britain the Essex Hall Lecture is one of the leading events of that gathering. In 1966 the Rev. Sidney Spencer, Unitarian minister at Bath and Trowbridge, gave the Essex Hall Lecture on the topic of “Mysticism And Liberal Religion.” Spencer, who was the former Principal of Manchester College, Oxford (where many of the Unitarian ministers in England are educated), had already gained renown as a life-long student of the mystics through publication of his book Mysticism in World Religion by Penguin Books in 1963, which had sold many thousands of copies. In his Essex Hall Lecture Spencer sought to show that mysticism in its various forms and expressions was much more compatible with tolerant and rational forms of Liberal Religion than with the more dogmatic conservative and orthodox forms. He made a very convincing case. We are pleased to have been granted permission to re-publish Spencer’s important lecture for our readers in 2004. Some twenty or so years ago the UUA published a pamphlet by the Rev. Arthur Foote with the intriguing title, “Can I Be A Mystic and Unitarian Universalist?”, which we are also pleased to have been granted permission to re-publish. By posing the question Arthur Foote implied an affirmative answer, yes indeed I can, and so can all Unitarian Universalists, since as Francis Greenwood Peabody learned from his 19th Century theological teacher in Germany, Professor Tholuck, American Unitarians are the true mystics. Read and find out why and how. This past year I had the pleasure being one of three thesis advisors to a University of Massachusetts (Boston) student, Carie J. Johnsen-Killam, who was working on a study of the Mystical Genealogy of Unitarianism within New England Transcendentalism. I referred her to the two above noted articles and she went on from there to do a significant study which proves the connection both past and present of “The Mystical Genealogy within Unitarianism.” (193Kb pdf)* What was good enough for Emerson and his Transcendentalist contemporaries is still good enough for Unitarian Universalists living today. We can all reclaim our right to be UU mystics and religious liberals and to enjoy the connection as old and new transcendentalists. Carie Killam’s thesis was accepted with accolades of praise by all three advisors. This fall Carie begins her first year at Harvard Divinity School in preparation for the Unitarian Universalist ministry. The fourth article, “The Language of the Mystics”, by your Editor, was originally given as a brief sermon at a UU Union Service at the First Parish in Cohasset in February of 2000. It completes the quartet of pieces on mysticism and liberal religion. The next two articles, “Healing Medicines” by the Rev. Richelle C. Russell, and “Reincarnation” by Bob Harrington, were given as sermon/addresses at the First Unitarian Church in Providence, R.I., and the Unitarian Fellowship in London, Ontario, Canada. I am always interested in what topics are being addressed from UU pulpits that relate to the interests and purposes of the Psi Symposium. Alternative modes of healing and questions relating to past lives and life after death are of deep interest to many members of our Symposium. Richelle Russell has served as minister in Sacramento, CA., Northborough, MA., and Providence, R.I. She also has preached on “Religious Imagination” which may be of interest to some of our members in a future issue of the Journal. Bob Harringon is a lay leader in his UU Fellowship in London, Ontario. Bob reports that he was inspired by the articles on reincarnation in the previous issue of the Journal and was moved to put together a talk on the subject and to respond to our appeal for more articles from our members. In preparing his talk he found himself “constantly surprised by the variety of people who if not believers, certainly gave reincarnation serious consideration.” Some of his audience in London, Ontario were surprised as well. I would repeat my appeal for more articles and pieces from our members and readers for future consideration for publication in the Journal. By the way the Psi Symposium now has a website which you may visit at the following address: www.PSI-Symposium.org. Also you can email us at the following addresses: rmfewkes@hotmail.com (Dick Fewkes), gsnow3@juno.com (Glen Snowden), and SWP718@aol.com (Shirley Pratt). Let us hear from you. *You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this document.
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